Cat+Mitchell+Cameron // Lifestyle Family Photos in Greensboro

It’s our pleasure to welcome the always wonderful Cat+Mitchell into the CSP 4-Timers Club, and their son Cameron into the 2-Timers Club! Somehow Cameron has gone from infant-wearing-headphones to toddler-wearing-headphones practically overnight, and in that span of time Cat and Mitchell have really upped their A-game on the glasses front with Mitchell now sporting a mint green and Cat wearing ones with gold glitter. When Cat and Mitchell aren’t being great parents, they’re out being great friends to us. They’ve picked up obscure Coheed records for us on Record Store Day, and bought us tiny little striped toy cats from Ikea, and have always gone above and beyond on the friend front. We love and appreciate them very much, and are so happy to take photos of them and Cameron.

There were many wonderful little family moments during this session: bed jumping, book reading, Cameron texting while operating a feet-motorized vehicle, eating ice cream, finding and identifying every canine within a 10-block radius and shouting “DOOG” in its general direction, and splashing around in the city waterpark. But the best moment (at least for me personally) was Cameron getting onto their bed and seeing a little framed photo we took of Cat and Mitchell at their wedding. And he pointed to it and said, “Momma! Dada!” and took the frame down and held it and pointed to it and looked happy. >> insert sentimental Carolyn monologue here >> I have always operated under the assumption that someday our photos will be passed down to kids or family friends or whoever. Who doesn’t love looking at pictures of their parents on their wedding day? They were younger, more awake, well-dressed in their wedding clothes, and somehow you didn’t exist when the photo was taken. It’s hard to imagine your parents without you, so I think wedding photos always carry with them a sort of strange mystique and awe to kids of all ages everywhere. It is a great feeling knowing that Geoff and I are the ones who took those pictures. We’re enabling the kids to get a glimpse into their parents at a different time of life. I love imagining kids looking at these pictures later, and it was so so so so SO great seeing Cameron do that in front of me. >> ends sentimental Carolyn monologue, wipes away tear. >>

So anyway – we love these three guys and Biscuit the dog and June the cat and are so happy to have them in our lives as friends and clients.

Laurin+Tim+Tyler // Lifestyle Family Session

Guys! Tyler has now gone from a baby to a toddler. How does that happen? Science, I guess, and time. And now that he’s older, he’s starting to show some preferences and affinities that I hope he carries with him through the rest of his life. Namely: his love of cats and his overuse of sprinkles while making cookies. When I say cats, I mean their two pet cats Bongo and Max who stare at us from the top step and then run, and also his orange stuffed cat named Tom who does not leave Tyler’s side. And when I say overuse of sprinkles, I mean that 99% of that cookie is comprised of sprinkles, and I’m really not sure how you’d eat it, but I support it.

Tyler also likes painting his parents, running through bubbles, and looking aggravated while sitting on top of a gnome stool. He also likes making Super Target stores out of sand in his sand box (he is going to be such a catch). We are told that he wants to be a “big fat morning dove” when he grows up, and he enjoys riding his tricycle, identifying dogs on walks, and feeding ducks when they are at the pond. Laurin and Tim enjoy really wonderful art, really wonderful wallpaper, Game of Thrones, and keeping up with Tyler. The best part of taking photos of repeat clients is seeing how they got a large print made of Tyler looking aggravated while sitting on top of a gnome stool. We absolutely adore this family.

Kelly+Steven // Wedding at The Sutherland

Our time with Kelly and Steven was way too short and they spent their wedding day talking to WAY too many people that weren’t us (how rude!) so at some point we’re going to have to visit them out in California and force a long-distance friendship upon them because they love zombies and Game of Thrones. I believe that zombies were mentioned several times in speeches and so they are our people. And it’s wonderful that their general nerddom is widely known, accepted, and loved by their family and friends.

We hadn’t met with Kelly or Steven before their wedding, and I believe that booking them went something like this:
1.) Kelly inquires. Carolyn responds.
2.) Another couple inquires for the same date a few hours later. Carolyn responds to both this couple and to Kelly and Steven, letting them know multiple people are looking at the same date.
3.) Kelly frantically calls 0.025 seconds after the e-mail reaches her inbox, leaving a desperate and panicked voicemail for us.
4.) Carolyn calls Kelly back and she swoops up the date.

It’s always really humbling and wonderful when someone really loves your work and wants to book you, but Kelly and Steven were a whole other level and made us feel so welcome!! To evidence my perpetual undervaluing of ourselves, Kelly said, “I’m so glad you’re here!” while she was getting ready, and I believe I looked around the room and said, “Who, me?” after a 10 second pause. It is SO NICE to be appreciated and to work with clients who treat you like family even though you just met! I’m sad that these two live in California, but I’m happy to feel like we now have friends across the country who also like zombies.

Kelly and Steven are two perfect peas in a pod. They’re nerdy, adorable, and have a height difference that Geoff and I can relate to. They love dancing and chose Eric Hodgden to keep their party going, which is always an excellent choice! They also had the BEST TEAM of flower girls and ring bearers. I did not make one single member of this team cry! And for those who follow our work, you’ll know that I’m always making some flower girl or ring bearer visibly miserable. Not these guys. They were hilarious, but also really helpful, and adorable 100% of the time. There was delicious food and sparkly lights in a tree and a BEAUTIFUL bride and handsome groom, and also a really cute stuffed reindeer. We love you, Kelly and Steven! Thank you for being supportive and AMAZING clients!


– Date: September 16, 2017
– Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Sutherland // Wake Forest, NC
– First Dance Song: “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” – Sleeping at Last
– Kelly’s Occupation: Manager for a power wheelchair company
– Steven’s Occupation: 3D Graphic Artist
– How You Met: Match.com
– Interesting Fact: We love travelling, rescuing dogs, and practicing zombie survival skills.
– Vendor Credits: Pastor – Jeff Babajtis. DJ – Eric Hodgden of All Around DJ Company. Florist – Lyn of Fresh Affairs. Cake – Ashley of Ashley Cakes. Caterer – Vicki with Rocky Top Catering. Hair/Makeup – Makeup For Your Day. Coordinator – Christy Ethridge of The Sutherland.